TAG HEUER
Racing Forward
Forty-five years after the creation of the first Carrera watch, TAG Heuer has built on the family as a centrepiece of its last three collections. As well as a symbol of style, the Carrera, and its successor, the Grand Carrera, introduced in 2007, is also rapidly becoming known as the symbol of technical excellence in the industry at its class. As such, it should be no surprise that the collection received the bulk of the brand’s attention in this year’s Baselworld presentation.
The Grand Carrera Calibre 36 RS Caliper Chronograph, winner of the 2008 Sportswatch of the Year Award, is the jewel in the crown and has now gone from concept watch to becoming part of the regular collection. It features breakthrough technology with its column wheel movement that produces 36,000 vibrations per hour and measures time to 1/10th of a second. It has a steel rim, black dial, and comes with either a leather strap or steel bracelet. There is also a sleek titanium version in all black.
The Calibre 8 RS is available with black, silver or brown dial, steel
bracelet or alligator skin strap or in a rose gold reference.
However, there is much more to the new Grand Carrera range than technical wizardry. The Calibre 6 RS has a 40 mm case and comes with a silver, brown, or black dial. With its date window positioned at 3 o’clock and a rotating small second system at 6 o’clock, decorated with “Côtes de Genève” finishing, this is a piece that combines classic style with dynamic technology.
The Grand Carrera Calibre 8 RS Grande Date GMT is slightly larger and targets the world traveller. With a dual time watch located at 6 o’clock on the dial and a distinctive date window at 12 o’clock, this watch is all about style. The Calibre 8 RS is available with black, silver or brown dial, steel bracelet or alligator skin strap or in a rose gold reference.
Finally, the 43mm Grand Carrera Calibre 17 RS Chronograph uses two rotating systems with a small second at 3 o’clock, and a chronograph minute at 9 o’clock. Like the Calibre 8 RS, it also has a black titanium and a rose gold version, the latter described by Jack Heuer himself as “one of the most beautiful chronographs ever designed by TAG Heuer.”
Aside from the Grand Carrera, the Monaco is also very much in vogue this year. Iconized in the 1970 film classic “Le Mans” by legendary actor Steve McQueen, the new Monaco Twenty Four Concept Chronograph is a fitting testament to the collection.
Inspired by the Le Mans race, it carries an oversize “24” at 12 o’clock and the blue and orange colour scheme of Gulf Oil, the same colours Steve McQueen wore in his 1970 film. Like the Grand Carrera, it incorporates technology from GT racecars, including extreme shock protection.
The Monaco Calibre 12 Chronograph Gulf has also been created in a limited edition of 5,000 pieces with the Gulf Oil logo or unlimited without the logo. With a sapphire crystal front and back, the Calibre 12 has two sub-counters located at three and nine o’clock, one a second hand and the other a minute counter. The Monaco also includes a ladies version this year with the Monaco Watch Lady Grande Date. Only slightly smaller than the men’s watches at 37 x 36 mm, it is still a big watch with excellent readability and features thirteen diamonds on its white mother-of-pearl dial.
